2009 NFL Mock Draft

Me and my frien, Mike Anello, collaborated on this together for the Whit, which will be published Thursday. A link will be provided...

1) Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
2) St. Louis Rams – Jason Smith, OL, Baylor
3) Kansas City Chiefs – Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forrest
4) Seattle Seahawks – Eugene Monroe, OL, Virginia
5) Cleveland Browns – Brian Orakpo, DE/LB, Texas
6) Cincinnati Bengals – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
7) Oakland Raiders – Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
8) Jacksonville Jaguars - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
9) Green Bay Packers – Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
10) San Francisco 49ers – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
11) Buffalo Bills – Eben Britton, OL, Arizona
12) Denver Broncos – BJ Raji, DT, Boston College
13) Washington Redskins – Everette Brown, DE, FSU
14) New Orleans Saints - Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio State
15) Houston Texans – Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
16) San Diego Chargers – Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
17) New York Jets – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
18) Denver Broncos – Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, OSU
20) Detroit Lions – Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
21) Philadelphia Eagles – Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
22) Minnesota Vikings – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
23) New England Patriots – Brian Cushing, LB, USC
24) Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Pettigrew, TE,
25) Miami Dolphins – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
26) Baltimore Ravens – Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC
27) Indianapolis Colts – Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
28) Buffalo Bills – Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
29) New York Giants – Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
30) Tennessee Titans – Ron Brace, DT, Boston College
31) Arizona Cardinals – Donald Brown, RB, UConn
32) Pittsburgh Steelers – Darrius Butler, CB, UConn

Harry Kalas: 1936-2009

“Swing...and a long drive, watch this baby, outta here! Home run!”

For the past 38 seasons, that’s what you would hear after every Phillies home run from the mouth of the greatest voice in Philadelphia sports history.

Harry Kalas was more than just a broadcaster for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was “The Voice.”

That fateful call was said one more time on Sunday. In the top of the 9th, Matt Stairs stepped up to the plate and delivered the final shot Harry the K would ever call, a 2-run go ahead homer versus the Rockies.

Born Harold Norbert Kalas in Illinois in 1936, he began his announcing career for a Hawaiian minor league ball club. He made his major league debut in 1965 with the Houston Astros.

He was hired by the Phillies in 1971 to replace Bill Campbell. After the retirement of By Saam, Kalas was paired with Andy Musser and Hall of Fame Phillies great, Richie Ashburn. Kalas joined NFL Films and 1975 and has been working with them until his death.

Known as “Harry and Whitey,” the duo of Kalas and Ashburn would stay together for 27 years until Ashburn passed away in 1997. Kalas would still mourn the death of his best friend every day.

Kalas was best known for his amazing voice. He had such a warm presence about him with his deep and tender voice that would swell with excitement whenever game play would reach its peak. His home run calls were outstanding and his emotion shown painted the perfect picture for anyone and everyone listening.

Yet simple, it wasn’t just a home run call that people will forever miss.

“65,000 plus on their feet here at Veterans Stadium. The Tugger needs one more...Swing and a miss! Yes, he struck him out! Yes, they did it! The Phillies are World Champions!”

And 28 years later, he got to call the pitch that ended the Phillies 28-year drought and relieved a city that ached for a championship for 25 years.

“Fans on their feet; rally towels are being waved. Brad Lidge stretches. The 0-2 pitch… Swing and a miss, struck him out! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball!”

His last call came Sunday when Chase Utley fielded the final out in the Phillies 7-5 win.

“Bouncing ball to Chase Utley, this should be the game, Chase throws him out and that will be it as the Phil's win 2 out of 3 here at Coors Field, coming back to take this one by a score of 7 to 5."

Some of his greatest achievements include calling two World Championships, the opening of both Veterans Stadium in 1971 and Citizens Bank Park in 2004, and being elected to the baseball Hall of Fame in 2002, also winning the Ford C. Frick Award.

Kalas also had the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch April 8 before the Phillies World Series ring ceremony. Decked in a red sports coat, Kalas called his last home game later that day.

Kalas was the voice of Philadelphia. Now his voice will just me a memory as every time we see a Phillie hit the long ball, “It’s outta here,” will ring in our years forever.

It's So Hard...

It's so hard to be telling the truth
but to be deemed a liar.
It's so hard to be yourself
but not be understood.
It's so hard to love you
but that not be enough for you.
It's so hard to be sorry
but that doesn't matter anymore.
It's so hard...

Here is my publication in the Whit for the American League Preview I posted:

The AL East used to be a two-team division, until the Tampa Bay Rays
finally showed up and won the division and pennant last season. However, the New
York Yankees are back in business with an unbelievable off-season and the Boston
Red Sox didn’t miss a step. The Central should feature the Detroit Tigers, with
the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox behind them. The West will be all
about the Los Angeles Angels. Here’s a look at the key teams in the A.L.

In the East, the Rays are bringing back some major parts to their A.L.
championship team such as Rookie of the Year winner Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford
and Dioner Navarro. Their rotation features James Shields, Scott Kazmir and Matt
Garza. The Rays like to play small ball, but lacked a power hitter, so they went
out and signed former Phillie Pat Burrell during the off-season. This balances
out the team, making them more dangerous offensively.

The Yankees re-tooled dramatically in the off-season. Their key
signings included pitchers C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and the re-signing of
Andy Pettitte. They also signed first basemen Mark Teixeira, who will instantly
boost an offense that was 10th in runs scored last season. The five-man rotation
is filled out with Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain. With five pitchers like
that, they should win on pitching alone. Plus, Mariano Rivera is still one of
the best closers in baseball. The offense still features captain Derek Jeter and
Alex Rodriguez, who, despite the steroid saga and hip injury, is one of the best
in the game.

The Red Sox are still one of the best teams in baseball. Tampa Bay and
New York have improved, but Boston wasn’t going to sit around and let them have
all the fun. The signing of Brad Penny gives them a good starting rotation to
compete with New York. The pen is anchored by closer Jonathon Papelbon and
set-up man Hideki Okajima. The offense is nothing short of amazing either. It
features reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia. He is supported by an excellent offensive
cast of Kevin Youkillis, Mike Lowell and David Ortiz. The outfield also features
young center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who is flanked by Jason Bay and JD
Drew.

In the Central, the Detroit Tigers look to be the strongest team. They
moved Miguel Cabrera to first base due to a lack of glove, but he is still a
fine hitter. The outfield is very good this year, with Carlos Guillen, Curtis
Granderson and Maglio Ordonez leading the way. Marcus Thames is a great bat off
the bench and can play the outfield in the late innings. The rotation features
great pitching in Justin Verlander, Armondo Galaragga, Jeremy Bonderman and
Dontrelle Willis. They should be good enough to win the division, but Chicago
and Minnesota are always in the mix.

The White Sox are a shell of the 2005 World Champion team. They lost
Joe Crede, Orlando Cabrera and Ken Griffey Jr. in the off-season and didn’t make
any vast improvements. They do still have Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye, their two
best bats. Gavin Floyd and Mark Buehrle emerged as their two best pitchers and
will have to post better numbers to keep Chicago in the mix. The Twins missed
the playoffs by a game last year. They added Crede from the White Sox to go with
the young stars Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Pitching isn’t a strong point for
the Twins this year and could be a problem for them. The Cleveland Indians and
Kansas City Royals shouldn’t factor into the race too much.

In the West, the only team that truly stands out is the Angels. They
lost record-breaking closer Francisco Rodriguez to the New York Mets, but added
a steady thrower in Brian Fuentes. They also added a great bat in the outfield
in Bobby Abreau to go along with Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter. Pitching is
also strong for the Angels, with John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders and
Jered Weaver as the main anchors in the starting rotation. The Texas Rangers and
Oakland Athletics don’t really impress and the Seattle Mariners brought back
Griffey Jr., but still won’t see much of an improvement.

The Yankees will take the East, the Tigers will win the Central, and
the Angels will again run away with the West. The Wild Card will be very
interesting, as the Red Sox will edge the Rays for the last spot.

My NL Preview

Posted in the Whit:

As the Philadelphia Phillies look to repeat as National League champions, they have a tough road in front of them. The Phillies will need to get past the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves in a tough NL East. The competition doesn’t stop there, as the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals will battle it out in the Central and the Los Angeles Dodgers look to have a leg up. Here’s an in-depth look at the key teams in the National League.

In the East, the Phillies are still the favorite in the division. They have the best infield in the NL, and probably all of baseball, with Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Pedro Feliz. Their outfield is also solid with Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth and newly added Raul Ibanez to fill the hole Pat Burrell left after signing with the Rays. The Phillies pitching staff will have to play like it did last season to defend the pennant successfully. Cole Hamels is an elite pitcher in the league, but he may miss opening day with elbow problems. Brett Myers is the second starter, with 46-year old Jamie Moyer taking up the third spot in the rotation. Joe Blanton is someone to keep an eyes on this year after being acquired from the Oakland A’s last season. The Phillies bullpen is strong - being led once again by closer Brad Lidge and set-up man Ryan Madson - and will receive and instant boost once JC Romero is back from his 50-game suspension. Overall, there are very few noticeable holes in this team.

The Mets are trying to avoid another late-season collapse for the third-straight season. They are also sick of blowing saves, so they spent some money to bring in closer Francisco Rodriguez, who broke the single-season major league saves record last year. In the rotation, there is nothing stellar once you get past ace Johan Santana, but Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez are decent pitchers. The Mets do have a solid offense led by David Wright and Jose Reyes. Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado are still both dangerous hitters, but after you get past the first five, their lineup is shallow. However, they should still be able to complete for the wild card.

The Braves bolstered their rotation with the signing of Derek Lowe. He will be supported by Javier Vazquez and Jair Jurrjens. Chipper Jones leads the offense and he is supported by Brian McCann, Kelly Johnson, Garrett Anderson and Jeff Francoeur. The Braves are young, but always stay in the mix.

The Florida Marlins have some young talent in Dan Uggla and Hanley Ramirez, but that’s really about it. The Marlin’s picthing is also very weak. The Washington National aren’t any better than last season’s 59-102 record and will not be a factor at all this season.

In the Central, the Chicago Cubs are sticking by the motto, “maybe this year” once again. They certainly have a good team, but always fall very short in the playoffs. Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano are the spark plugs of this offense. Kosuke Fukudome came into his own last season and should still be a key to their offense this season. They also sport one of the best young catchers in the league, Geovany Soto. Former Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija turned into a good reliever last year and should see his role increased in the pen. Kevin Gregg and Carlos Marmal are the two leading candidates to be the Cubs closer this season.

Elsewhere in the Central, the Cardinals may very well surprise people this year. Albert Pujols is the best player in baseball and he is healthy. He may be the only superstar on that team, but he is supported by guys who can play. They got Khalil Greene in a trade in the off season and still have the injury-prone Troy Glaus at third. Ryan Ludwick and Yadier Molina were pleasant surprises last season. The big story for the team is the pitching staff. Adam Wainwright will be the staff’s ace and he will be followed by Kyle Lohse and Todd Wellemeyer. The Cardinals had no true closer last season, but expect Ryan Franklin to take the role again.

The rest of the division is very weak once you get past the Milwaukee Brewers, who lost staff ace CC Sabathia to the Yankees. They have offensive talent, but no pitching at all, so don’t expect another second-half surge. The Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros do not pose threats at all and the Pittsburgh Pirates are downright awful.

In the West, the Dodgers seem to have things under control after finally re-signing Manny Ramirez. He was the hottest player in the second half last season and the only Dodger who could figure out the Phillies pitching in the post-season. Andre Ethier, James Loney and Russell Martin will all contribute to the sturdy offense. They lost Derek Lowe and Brad Penny in the pitching staff, but added Randy Wolf. They will look for Hiroki Kuroda and Chad Billingsley to step up and take control in the bullpen. The Diamondbacks will have to rely heavily on the arms of Brandon Webb and Dan Haren if they want to compete. The San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, and Colorado Rockies don’t have enough talent to shake up the west.

It is my belief that the Phillies will take the East and will post the best record in the National League. The Cubs will win the Central in a close race and the Dodgers will easily win the West. The Cardinals should take the wild card over the Mets

What I'm Not and Who I Am

I'm not a cheater... I just made the mistake once of hurting someone. I am as true as the sun that shines on us.

I'm not materialistic... All I will ever want is your love and your love only. You make me happy and nothing else.

I'm not greedy... I don't need money to make me happy. I don't care what someone wants to give me.

I'm not a liar... I feel no need in deceiving you to make you believe I love you when I don't. Everything I say and do is true.

I don't need anyone else... No girl will ever be as amazing as you. You, Giovanna, are the greatest thing to ever happen to me and I am truly grateful to have a wonderful girl like you.

I'm not going anywhere... I'm here to stay.
I love you, forever and ever and a day

Top 10 best fans in sports

So I was doing a bit of thinking and decided I'd make s sports post. Justin took over We Hate To Lose by himself so if I want to write about sports, it will have to be here. So I had an idea. I will post the Top 10 best fans in all four major sports (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL) today and will then do the 10 Worst fans and 10 biggest bandwagons (and boy will I have fun with the latter 2). So here we go:

1) Pittsburgh Steelers - Tradition and Excellence are the 2 words i associate with this franchise and their fan base. They not only bleed the gold and black where ever they go but they do it with the utmost respect for everybody else. When I think of Steelers fans, I think of the ambassadors to all of sports fans. if you want to know what it's like to love a team, know a Steelers fan. Oh and 2 words: Terrible Towel.

2) Montreal Canadiens - They may possibly be the most annoying human beings on the face of the earth but they live and die with their team. They are like soccer hooligans, but not as dangerous because they're French Canadian. They absolutely took advantage of the flawed All Star voting system, voting in 4 starters from their team (only one truly deserved it).

3) Detroit Red Wings - Does your team throw an octopus on the ice when Marian Hossa nets a hat trick? Hell no. That is the coolest tradition in all of sports. But besides the octopus, they are the reason Detroit is dubbed "Hockey Town."

4) New York Yankees - They think they are better than you. Well in the baseball world they are. They are also the most tortured in the past 10 years. The Yankees give them a team that should win each year and they still find ways to break their hearts. Yea I know they have 26 rings and I enjoy watching them lose but no fan base should be subject to a shitty front office and the negative news surrounding Alex Rodriguez.

5) Boston Red Sox - After 86 years of the Curse, losing, and Buckner, the Sox fans were finally treated with a World Series win in 2004 and an encore in 2007. If you have seen Fever Pitch, the scene where there are people in the streets all decked in their gear and have stands set up and what not is all true. They treat every home game as if it was football Sunday. Fenway is one of the hardest tickets to get your hands on in all of sports as well because their fans grab them up before you can say "Bahston."

6) Green Bay Packers - The Cheeseheads literally get down on their knees and worship Brett Favre. He is the Jesus of the little city in Wisconsin. And I give a lot of credit to a fan base that will go to games where it's colder in Green Bay in September than it is anywhere else in January.

7) Boston Celtics - The Yankees of basketball, these fans have all the love in the world for their team. It was tough leaving the Boston Bruins out of the top 10 (and 15) because of Boston's true love for all of sports. It carries over to the richest franchise in Beantown. The fans enjoyed seeing their team be on top again last year and will have to get through the Lakers to enjoy success again. Boston/LA is to Boston/NY in baseball and Philly/Dallas in football.

8) Cleveland Browns - The Dawg Pound is one of the most popular fan area in sports. They sit behind the end zone and they will harass the opponents. Chad Johnson of the Bengals was brave enough to leap into the pound after he scored and got clawed and beer thrown all over him. Gotta love the Dog-faced Gremlins.

9) Philadelphia Eagles - E.A.G.L.E.S. Eagles! I am a proud member of this fan base and I will always be. We are tortured beyond belief but we will still give money to the organization to not spend it. Hey Lurie, thanks for resigning Brian Dawkins. Oh wait, you didn't. We are probably dubbed the most intimidating fans in football and probably sports. We will chew you, your family, children, mother, father, and dog out to let you know your team sucks and if you think otherwise we will kick your ass.

10) New York Rangers - These fans are the most intimidating in the Atlantic Division, rivaling the Flyers. They don't welcome guests and they live and die for there team. Madison Square Garden is the greatest arena in America and it's one place to not wear a Flyers, Devils, Penguins, or Islanders jersey. 4 championships as an original 6 team are numbers you would expect from a team with an OK fan base but their fans will not give up on their team, no matter what.

Honerable Mentions:

Oakland Raiders - spiked shoulder pads

Los Angeles Lakers - the other NBA traditions

Philadelphia Flyers - it's Philly

Chicago Cubs - only the Cubs fans will support a team that has lost 100 straight years

New York Giants - very loyal fans even when their team blew from 2001-2006

I can't sleep

I simply can't sleep. I have hurt you and I don't know how I did it. You think I leave you every night but I truly don't. It's as simple as if we were laying in bed together and I turned to you, repeating the same simple routine we go through at night: "Goodnight, I love you, *kiss*, bye..."

I'm simply not leaving, baby. I promise. I can't lay there on the couch and let my phone die and I can't lay in my bed in my room because my room mate is already sleeping. I do the only thing I can do and that's repeat the same ritual every night.

See, I can't sleep if I don't hear you say good night or I love you. It just doesn't feel complete. Would we honestly end every night like that? Just laying in bed and staring at each other to wait for each other to fall asleep? No. We would look into each other's eyes and say: "Goodnight, I love you, *kiss*, bye."

If I travel all my life
And I never get to stop and settle down
Long as I have you by my side
There's a roof above and good walls all around
You're my castle, you're my cabin and my instant pleasure dome
I need you in my house 'cause you're my home.
-Billy Joel

Oh I sleep just to dream her
I beg the night just to see her
That my only love should be her
Just to lie in her arms
-Dave Matthews

'Cause I am barely breathing
And I can't find the air
I don't know who I'm kidding
Imagining you care
And I could stand here waiting
A fool for another day
But I don't suppose it's worth the price, worth the price
The price that I would pay
-Duncan Sheik

'Cause I can't breathe when you talk to me
I can't breathe when you're touchin' me
I suffocate when you're away from me
So much love you take from me
I'm going outta my mind
-J. Holiday

Irony, hyprocrisy, and other bullshit

It's funny. For the past 6 1/2 months, I was scared that everything you said was true, that when you go out with other guys, it would surely be the end. Then after a long night of not knowing what you were up to or a short time period where you're with someone else, hanging out, you would get on me for being worried. You would ask me "would I really do that to you?"

Yea you would. Because for once I finally realized that you wouldn't hurt me and that you wouldn't betray me. Well like all the other times where I doubted you, I was wrong. You did. You are a hypocrite. You never trust me. You always accuse me of doing the bull shit you have had done to you in the past. You make me seem like the bad guy, the guy who would break your heart because he didn't care. Well you are wrong. You are the only thing that truly matters to me and I would never let anything get in between that.

It's so ironic too. I trusted you. I surely thought that when he came over, you would be loyal to me. You would know where your heart truly is. But no it wasn't. Your heart wasn't there. It walked out on me and went to him for the moment. How do I know this was the only time? I don't! I'm hurt. You hurt me. Your favorite saying is "once a cheater, always a cheater," yet "it doesn't matter what happened in your past because I want you in my present and in my future." Hmmm a bit hypocritical huh? I sure think so.

What scares me even more is you know I will forgive you because I truly will. I am forgiving you but will you take this mistake and let it go or will it actually change you? If you love me like you say you do, then you will be scared out of your mind to lose me. I'm calling you out.

I love you. Do you love me?

I miss the sound of your voice....

After we hung up, I wasn't tired so I watched yesterday's episode of House (it was good by da way). As I was watching it, I looked at my phone and noticed that 10 minutes prior, you called and left an amazing voicemail. After we hung up, I held down the 1 key and listened to your message from Monday and I cried when you said you missed the sound of my voice. I then sucked it up and walked back into the room, asked Matt if he was going to bed soon (he said no) so I put House on.

After hearing that message, I thought of the old cliche saying, "you don't appreciate something until you don't have it anymore." I have always appreciated your love and how much you do love me don't get me wrong, but it hit me so hard. You knew I was upset and I cried twice on the phone, especially because you were so heartbroken but I lost it when we hung up.

There isn't much anymore that makes me happy. Sure I have music and the Flyers are winning and I'm writing for the paper and baseball is around the corner and I'm satisfied with all of that but I'm not truly happy unless I talk to you and hear your voice.

I'm honestly lost with out you. A day without you is like a day without breathing. Every breath I take is just another moment to love you. Without being able to tell you that hurts far worse than the pain of a broken bone or torn ligament.

I miss you so much and I appreciate you more as each breath is breathed. I love you so much, Giovanna. Forever and ever and a day. This will all work itself out in the end.

"I miss the sound of your voice
I miss the rush of your skin
I miss the still of the silence
As you breathe out and I breathe in..."

Come one get higher, baby : ) I'm always here. I love you <3

My DMB Fat Tuesday

First off, I do not have a band that controls my life. For the past 4 years, the Dave Matthews Band has influenced my life and helped me find a place of solace. Whether it's been finding secret messages to help me with everyday challenges, a subtle reminder of how great life is and to cherish it, or to cope with the loss of a loved one, DMB has helped me get past my shitty days and has driven my best.

So with less than 14 hours left of DMB listening, I have decided to listen to atleast 2-3 shows during the day. I'm going to be starting with 8/9/08 from the Alpine Music Theater in East Troy, MI. It's a great show featuring the famous Anyone Seen the Bridge -> Too Much (fake) -> Halloween.

The next 3 shows I'm considering. One is 7/10/04 in Hershey, PA. This show is amazing and features all four 2004 songs (Sugar Will, Crazy Easy, Good Good Time, and Joy Ride). All are pretty much defunct with the exception of Sugar Will. It also features a great Rhyme and Reason and one of the most amazing versions of Jimi Thing I have ever heard.

The next show is 10/2/07 at the Hollywood Bowl in California. This show was incredible featuring an amazing #41 with John Mayer, Exodus with the Wailors, and five sons featured Danny Barnes on banjo. The show also had an amazing encore with American Baby Intro going into Grey Street with a nice transition by Butch Taylor on the keys.

I am currently downloading this last show, 7/7/01 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. This show features the 5 or 6 famous Pig teases where Dave refused to play it because so many people brought Pig signs to the venue. He states many times angrily in the IEM recording of the show how he won't play it to the band. The show opened with Grey Street which is personal favorite of mine, especially that version.

Since I've listened to 7/10/04 so much, I may start with Alpine into Chicago and maybe try to fit in Hershey or Hollywood. So there we go. My last 14 hours with DMB before I go 40 straight days of fresh music and new inspirations.

"Find some inspiration, it's down deep inside of you." - Boyd Tinsley "True Reflections"

39th annual Jazz Festival leaves audience riveted

I'm going to post all my articles that posted in The Whit, Rowan University's school paper. Here is my first ever post about the Jazz Festival held on Feb. 13, 2009:

It was an amazing night of nostalgia in Pfleeger Hall, capping off the 39th Annual Jazz Festival as students and professors took the audience on a journey through the pieces of two great jazz composers, George Gershwin and Cole Porter.

“It was an excellent show,” said Lillian Robinson, of Williamstown.

The show was split into two sections. The Rowan University Lab Band, directed by Denis Deblasio, took the stage first. The Rowan University Jazz Band, directed by George Rabbai, soon followed, with a guest performer on jazz trumpet throughout the show.

The show was highlighted by many student performances, including the solos of three sax players: freshman Giovanni Petrilli, junior Dan Myers, and sophomore Josh Freysinger. Senior drummer Brandon Blackburn led both bands with his stellar play and was supported by bassists Victor Caraballo and sophomore Andrew Bohn.

Stealing the show was vocalist Siiyara Nelson, who performed on Porter’s “Begin the Beguine” and Gershwin’s “A Foggy Day (In London Town)” and “Our Love is Here to Stay.”
Arlean Keller, of Glassboro, who was there with her husband and friends, has attended the Jazz Festival for the past 35 years and was particularly impressed by Nelson.

“I loved her,” said Keller. “She had an amazing voice.”

The show kicked off with the Lab Band performing Gershwin’s “So Wonderful,” which featured Myers on the baritone saxophone. The band then went into Porter’s “Love For Sale,” with Petrilli providing an excellent solo, and pianist Eric Aldrich laying down the keys.

Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch Over Me” was next on the list, featuring Myers again on the baritone sax. Nelson then made her first appearance on Porter’s “Begin the Beguine,” with Jared Lynch on jazz guitar. That was followed by the instrumental arrangement of Gershwin’s “A Foggy Day,” featuring juniors Matt Martin on saxophone, Owen Cunningham on flute and Blackburn on the drums.

The crowd was then treated with a special appearance by the head of the opera department, Marian Stieber. She sang Gershwin’s “Summertime,” with the addition of Petrilli on the saxophone.

The tempo picked back up with Porter’s “Fascinating Rhythm,” performed by juniors Samantha McLeod on flute and Mike Zdeb on guitar. Lynch then led the band in Porter’s “In the Still of the Night” on guitar. “I Loves You Porgy” was the next Gershwin song performed, featuring Rabbai on the jazz trumpet. Many may have recognized this song when it was performed by Christina Aguilera during the 2003 Grammy’s.

The first set was then capped off when the members of the Women’s Choir (WOCHO) came out to sing on a medley of two Gershwin tunes, “Fascinating Rhythm” and “I Got Rhythm,” with the latter containing a drum solo by Blackburn. Myers also soloed on the baritone sax.

After the break, the Jazz Band entertained the crowd with four Gershwin songs, starting off with singer Nelson and saxophonist Freysinger performing “A Foggy Day.” Alumni Phil Verespy did a guest solo of “I’ve Got a Crush on You,” a song that was made popular by Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

Nelson then came out and sang on “Our Love is Here to Stay” with Rabbai on jazz trumpet. The Jazz Band closed out the show with the swinging “But Not For Me.”

Both bands were exceptional, especially with the energy the Jazz Band brought during their short performance.

The Grammy's

I am fucking fed up with the Grammys. First off, I only watched them to see the tribute for LeRoi Moore in the deceased artists tribute. Guess what? They didn't fucking mention him. He won a fucking Grammy back in 1996 but it's OK. Go ahead and suck the dicks of Lil' Wayne, Justin Timberlake, and Coldplay: a group of people with half the talent of Roi combined.

Speaking of Lil' Wayne. I don't want to knock on him. He has a lot of class and I have a lot of respect for him as an artist. I wish his rock album project good luck in competing with DMB's new album. I do believe he got shafted in album of the year, losing to Robert Plant and Allison Kraus but at least it wasn't Coldplay.

So on to the performances. I thought most of them were great. Some not so much. TI, MIA and whoever were good but that bitch is pregnant and should no way be in public view. Paul McCartney was awesome, especially having Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters play drums for him. Robert Plant and Kraus were OK. I think Kraus sucks hence why it didn't deserve to win album of the year. BB King, John Mayer, Keith Urban, and I think that was Buddy Guy (not an expert on what these great blues guitarists look like) did an amazing jam. Neyo and Jamie Foxx sang with Smokey Robinson and another guy of the 4 Tops and did two of their hits and were phenomenal. Neyo's voice is excellent in my opinion. Justin Timberlake was actually pretty good and I'll give him credit. Not a fan but he was good. U2 sucks.

Now tot he highlight of the show, at least for me. Blink 182 reunited to give an award and guess the fuck what. THEY'RE BACK!!

I'm still sore about Roi being forgotten and my girl friend is still pissed about Lil' Wayne. Whatever. It happens. Fuck politics!

If my life was run by music (as if it isn't already)

So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, answer with the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...

Opening Credits:
Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams

Waking Up:
Hold On - Kansas

First Day Of School:
Misty Mountain Hop - Led Zeppelin

Falling In Love:
Mellisa - Allman Brothers Band

First Song:
Mother - Pink Floyd

Fight Song:
Love Gun - KISS

Breaking Up:
Boom - POD

Prom:
Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones

Life:
Doin' Time - Sublime

Mental Breakdown:
Ordinary Average Guy - Joe Walsh

Driving:
Patience - GnR

Flashback:
Don't Do Me Like That - Tom Petty

Getting Back Together:
Scarlet Begonias - Grateful Dead

Birth Of Child:
Foreplay/Long Time - Boston

Final Battle:
The Pretender - Foo Fighters

Death Scene:
American Pie - Don McLean

Funeral Scene
Another One Bites the Dust - Queen (wow)

End Credits:
Babe I'm Gonna Leave You - Led Zeppelin

That Particular Moment...

You ever just listen to a song or a version of a song and it just makes you stop and think? Has it ever really made you feel like you missed someone so much and they are there with you while you are listening to that song? I have had that moment three times in the past year. It's not just an emotional climax of a song but a feeling that completely over comes you.

When I lost my grandmother back in April, the first thing I did was put on Lie In Our Graves by DMB. The reprise hit me so fucking hard but it let me realize that my grandmother spent her living days well. As me and my dad (it was his mother) were driving the next day after the funeral, I put my iPod in on his car and put on LIOG and told him to listen. That was one of the moments that got him into DMB casually.

That was my first moment. The second was N2 in Camden (less than 2 months since her death). They played Granny 3rd in the show and I was so happy to hear it because that was the other song that reminded me of her. Later in the show, they played LIOG. I was upset they didn't do the reprise but during that solo by Boyd, I cried. Not teared up but fuckin' cried. It was the best solo of his I have ever heard in any song in my honest opinion. It was so melodic and pure music. It wasn't like one of his fiddle solos. It had so much energy behind it that it felt like he was playing it for her.

The third happened the other day. I know in my previous post I wrote about LT14 and how much I miss LeRoi Moore. Well that feeling of missing him kinda hit again. It wasn't even during a song he played on. The show was 8/29/08 at the Gorge. Roi had died 10 days prior to this show. The band was inbetween songs and the crowd just went nuts, throwing glow sticks on the stage which obviously the band was overcome with emotion, they then went in #41, a song Dave claimed Roi HATED. It was during the second refrain where Dave sings "I wanted to play, I wanted to love you" that it was known that he was crying through the song. The video is on Youtube and you can see the pain in his face.

I know I have an obsession with DMB music. It's the music that drives me though. It's so unconventional but emotional, kinda like me. I'm not perfect and never will I be. That's what this music does for me. It helps me through my tough times too. It's my medicine and I don't care what other people think of my listening habits. DMB's music has become a major part of my life.

My thoughts on the LT 14 selection

So I'm a huge DMB fan and just recently DMBand.com released the selection for Live Trax 14. They chose the 3rd straight 2008 Summer Tour show, choosing 6/28/08 from Bristow, VA. What was so special about this show is that it was LeRoi Moore's last show. Moore died on August 19 in LA from complications of his ATV crash on June 30.

I am all for this release despite the okay set and okay performance. This was the official end of an era for this band as Jeff Coffin his Roi's temporary replacement at sax. The album art for this show is awesome with Roi on the cover. They are also releasing a beautiful shirt as well with the famous Flower Sax shown on the poster of Roi's birthday this past September at Berkeley. The biggest key to this release is that all proceeds will go to the LeRoi Moore Fund, a great tribute indeed.

I love this release. I was so shocked when he died and I even shed a tear. He was one of the reasons why I got into DMB. I have always been a fan of the saxophone even thought I don't play the instrument. His music was amazing and it's still hard and always will be hard to see DMB perform without Roi on stage. I'm not knocking Coffin, he is amazing and brings so much energy to the table but his style is different than Roi's. On April 14, I will be seeing DMB for the first time without Roi and I know I will enjoy the show but I guarantee I will miss him during #41, Watchtower, Typical Situation, and every other song he tears apart.

Here is the set list.

Super Bowl XLIII

Yes I'm very upset that for the 4th time in 5 trips to the NFC Championship game, the Eagles failed to win one more to at least get a Super Bowl bid. Joining the Rams, Buccaneers, and Panthers, the Cardinals became the next team to get in Philly's way. Now there is one team standing in Arizona's way, Pittsburgh. Yes the Pittsburgh Steelers from day one in my mind have been the best team in football. My preseason Super Bowl pick was Minnesota vs Pittsburgh. When the season ended, it was Carolina vs Pittsburgh. I was so sure last week it would be an all PA Super Bowl but that was obviously foiled. I am still confident that the Steelers will win the Super Bowl, and win it soundly. Unlike the Cardinals opponents in Atlanta, Carolina, and Philly, Pittsburgh's defense does not have bad days.

Arizona does have a very good quarterback. In my opinion, Kurt Warner is Hall of Fame bound. He has 3 great receivers ot throw to in Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, and the best WR in the game, Larry Fitzgerald. If Arizona wants ot have a prayer, the offensive line will have to hold up and allow Warner to get the ball in the hands of his weapons. Pittsburgh's pass defense is very nasty. Dick LeBeau is the best defensive coordinator in the game and he will throw so many blitz packages at Warner that it will look like the 3rd quarter of the NFC Championship game. You still have to look out for Troy Polamalu. He is fucking dangerous!

Pittsburgh's offense is very good as well. They may not be as talented on paper as Philly's and sure is not as dangerous as Arizona's, but Ben Rothlisberger knows how to lead a team. He still has Hines Ward, Heath Miller, and Willie Parker but no Jerome Bettis. He does, though, have Santonio Holmes, the Steelers deep threat. Ben also has Nate Washington. It will all come down to the running game. Willie Parker is healthy and he can run again. Rothlisberger's performance will depend on the run game.

It's gonna be a long day for Arizona. Pittsburgh will become the first team to win 6 Super Bowls as they roll over Arizona 31-17.

....And Many More (revisited)

I posted this the day after the Phillies won the World Series, the team that was the foundation to what I want to do for the rest of my life: be a sports writer. This is from We Hate to Lose, linked on the side of the page and so forth. Here is my account of that amazing day....

Sitting on the edge of my couch I watch as Brad Lidge had a man on second with 2 outs. Up to the plate steps Eric Hinske. First pitch slider was fouled off. The second pitch was also a slider and was swung at. With the slider workinf twice, Lidge decided to go with it one more time. Hinske couldn't touch it and at that moment, a lot happened.

Lidge fell to his knees, Carlos Ruiz rushed him, Ryan Howard completely flattened him, and 50,000 people in attendance at CBP got on their feet and cheered. thousands of others rejoiced around the country as their Phillies did what teams before them couldn't do and that was win the World Series.

I sat there, staring at the TV. My roomate, who doesn't like baseball that much was watching with me and rambling on and on. I turned to him and told him to shut up as a soaked in the glory of finally watching a team and city I followed for 15 years finally win.

But like the Philadelphia fan I am, I am not satisfied. I am hungrier than ever for more success. This team found the right formula to win and this team can only get better. I want more victories. I want more rings. I want Pat Gillick to stay in Philadelphia and get us the players needed to be a dynasty. That's right people. I said that word that we label New York and Boston with. Their time is up. It's our turn and we will not let go.

But it's not just the Phillies. The Flyers found something last year and need one more good blue-liner to go over the top. The Sixers found it too and they are gonna make us proud soon too. The Eagles have an idea but still need some more pieces. Could '08 truly be the same is '80? Will we see three more teams go the distance? It's possible but work needs to be done. The Eagles found that winning formula last week, the Flyers are on a 3 game tear, and the Sixers found a big puzzle piece this off season in Elton Brand.

I want to thank Gillick, Charlie Manuel for being the kind of manager that this team needed to succeed, Ed Wade for the core of players who made this possible, and to Ed Montgomery in some way for being the signer of the checks of everyone who was involved.

So I sit here, satisfied but hungry, waiting for the next guarentee Jimmy Rollins has to offer. In the mean time, I'll have to wait and watch what the Eagles, Flyers, and Sixers have to offer as the follow up act to the Phillies.

This is our team, our city, our dream. Philly is the next Title Town

...is it still there?

Is it over? Is the best feeling in the world losing it's sting? Its passion? I just don't know. For the last 5 1/2 months, I have felt like my life is complete, that the missing piece to the puzzle I call my life has finally been fit into place. I have completely fallen inlove with someone so amazing, so wonderful, that I have forgotten what it's like to feel incomplete. Now the fear of feeling that emptiness is returning and I don't want to lose the one person that I love.

We are seperated by miles and kept together by pure faith and love. She has my heart on a string and I have her wrapped around my finger, as we like to say. Ever since we were born, our hearts had an empty room, longing for that space to be filled with the perfect person. After that amazing night when we first met, we began to occupy eachother's heart. Our mind would wonder from what we were doing to think of eachother.

Now with the strength of our love, our hearts grew stronger and infact fused to make one heart. We know that if one of us were to ever leave the other or be seperated from the other, we would surely die. Our hearts are one and can not live with out the other. Losing you, my love, would end me completely.

I talk to you now. For the first time in my life, I have felt that my heart can only long for one person. The urge to be with any girl, the ability to look at a girl and want to flirt with her, and the ability to close my eyes and picture any girl has left me forever. When I close my eyes, I see you and only you. When I think of my present and dream of the future, only you come into view. Not a day goes by when I don't think about you or just want to settle down with you.

I know I'm 20 and I know we are far apart and I know the distance is killing us. But that energy that is flowing through us, that love, is not over! That is the answer to the question! It is not dying and it is not fading away! The fear of feeling empty will never rear its ugly head for there is only one feeling I will ever feel and you will ever feel: Love. I love you with my whole heart and I will never let go. You are my future and my everything. I love you, Giovanna. Forever and ever and a day.

Classes

Well I'm off to class for the day. I have News Reporting 2 at 10:50 and Online Journalism to follow and then Public Speaking at 3:15. After that, my weekend begins. My schedule this semester is a lot more relaxed then last with it looking like this:

-Monday - Sports Journalism 2 - 3:15-4:30 and Bio: Human Focus - 6:30-9
-Tuesday - News Reporting 2 - 10:50-12:05; Online Journalism - 12:15-1:30; and Public Speaking - 3:15-4:30
-Wednesday - Bio: Human Focus - 6:30-9
-Thursday - News Reporting 2 - 10:50-12:05; Online Journalism - 12:15-1:30; and Public Speaking - 3:15-4:30

My first post

Well I officially decided to make my own blog. Along with Justin Evans, I help him run his Philly sports blog, We Hate to Lose. I don't want to be restricted to official news, formats, etc and just write about anything sports, music, or personal life related. I'll start with a quick introduction.

I'm John Russo and I'm from Atlantic City, NJ. I go to Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ and I major in journalism. I want to be a sports writer. I'm big into music as well as sports. I'm a fan of all Philly teams and root for Duke in college basketball and PSU in football. I have a very eclectic taste in music (a word I've stolen from my girl friend, Giovanna). Among my musical tastes, I like Dave Matthews, Billy Joel, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Beatles, and many other great classic, alternative, and punk bands along with some blues and jazz. I have been playing piano for 14 years and the guitar for a year.

In my future posts you learn more about me, my hobbies, interests, and some feelings. Take it easy and be sure to read up on We Hate to Lose!